[ilikecats]

Sometimes I feel guilty about not being healthy because nothing terrible has ever happened to me. I have a good family and a really close friend, I'm safe and can live comfortably, and I haven't experienced trauma. Yet I cut myself and have been in the hospital and am currently in an outpatient hospital program. I feel like I shouldn't be needing so much help when so many people have it so much worse. I know that depression is something that can affect anyone, and that just because your life isn't terrible doesn't mean you can't be sad or in pain, but I just can't help but feel guilty for not being healthier despite all the good things in my life. Sometimes I wonder if something traumatic did happen to me and I just don't remember it, because I don't understand why I'd be so unhealthy without having experienced something bad. But I don't think anything ever did happen, so I just feel guilty. How do you deal with feelings of guilt like this?

[elevatedsoul]

i ask myself the same thing sometimes... although i have experienced some rather tragic scenarios that i wont go into detail over of course...
but i know that even what i experienced... others have experienced worse - and i feel bad for not being stronger all the time... but i can't help it - its not something you choose.. but its something that seems to choose us... and sometimes once it takes hold - its so hard to get rid of, because your entire life perspective changes... the way you see everything - changes...
you just have to remind yourself that you are not actively chosing to feel those things... work towards what you desire...
it takes a lot of work - but it is possible... i have heard a good number of people able to do it...
stop blaming yourself - attacking yourself does make things worse... i do it alot and know all about it...
as long as you are doing what you can to improve these things.. you shouldn't feel guilty - even if you arent doing what you can... sometimes when you feel these things its hard to do anything - much less life changing things..
so dont feel guilty - alot of people feel those things... and its not your fault...

stay strong...

[Fizzyo]

I relate to what you say. It's not your fault though.

Health is down to inheritance (genes/nature) and environment (nurture).

I had an 'easier' childhood than many people with similar problems to me and I often feel such a wimp. I have to remind me that strength isn't about how healthy we are, but how we deal with the health we have.

You're still here and you still post on PC, so you do have strength.

Be kind to yourself, you deserve it. YES YOU DO.

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